'Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia, Manmohan laid foundation of India's growth'

Ranchi, Nov 20: AICC General Secretary Oscar Fernandes today said the foundation for the country's growth had been laid by former prime ministers Rajiv Gandhi and Manmohan Singh.

"India is the second fastest growing nations in the world because of the efforts made by former prime ministers Rajiv Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi," he said at a press conference.

"They had programmed (India) in such a way that growth environment has been created in the country," Fernandes said.

The Congress leader is on a visit to Jharkhand to campaign for party candidates for the first phase of polling slated for November 25.

"If Congress is voted to power in Jharkhand, the party would make a similar growth environment in the state. With its abundant mineral resources, Jharkhand has a huge potential to grow. And the Congress manifesto is prepared accordingly," he said.

Expressing confidence that the party would do well in the 13 constituencies where polling would be held in the first phase, former Union Minister Subodh Kant Sahay, who was also present in the conference, said, it had pledged to address the needs of the common people and its manifesto reflected it.

Jharkhand was deprived of Mandal Commission recommendations after being carved out of Bihar and Congress was committed to providing 27 per cent reservation to people from the backward class in employment and education, he added.